The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-07-07
LITTLE SHORTY.

LITTLE SHORTY.
1t was weeks and weeks after the
surrender at Appomattox before Cot
tonville understood the full meaning
of it.
At the beginning of the war it had
been our boast that Cottonvills was
slow but sure. Once tangled up in
the struggle we did not see our way
out of it, and when the paroled veter-
ans in gray began to struggle home
ward over the old red hills we could
hardly believe that their return signi-
fed the end of the war.
When small detachment of federal
troops occupied the village there was
general indignation among our people.
Some of the bolder spirits were in
favor of wiping out the invaders at
one fell swOOp, bat the more moderate
counsels of the returned confederates
prevailed and prevented the renewal
of hostilities.
One thing, however, we were all
determined upon, and that was to
show the miserable interlopers that
Cottonville was still loyal to the con-
federacy and would submit to nothing
disagreeable.
We did not find it necessary to do
anything rash. We held few public
meetings and passed resolutions pro-
claiming our devotion to the lost cause,
but that was about all.
Among the paroled confederates was
quiet, pale-faced man, who was
known far and wide as Little Shorty.
One had only to look at him to see the
appropriateness of his nickname. Lit
tie Shorty, to the great disgust of his
fellow-tOwnsmen, refused to partici-
pate in the public demonstrations. He
even went so far as to say that the true
policy was to make the best of the
situation and obey whatever laws the
victors saw tit to promulgate while we
were going through the process of re-
construction.
Now, although Little Shorty was in
significant in stature, he was perhaps
the strongest man in the county. He
was match for any two ordinary
men. This was all that saved him at
that time from being made the victim
of an outburst of popular indignation.
There was rough talk, of course, and
the prominent citizens as a rule ostra-
cisad him.
Little Shorty did his duty in the
war, remarked a man one day when
the matter was under discussion.
Yes, after fashion," replied Col.
Jones; ''but you never heard of any
of his deeds of daring. He simply
walked through the whole business and
got back home without scratch"
Perhaps that was not his fault"
said the other. "He volunteered, you
know, among the first"
That's all right" answered the
colonel, contemptuously. If he
hadn't volunteered he would have
been conscripted later. He was sharp
enough to have an inkling of it, and
SO he went to the front like little
man. That was no test of his courage.
Look at him now. Is he standing by
his people? Is he true to the lost
causeP You see what he is doing. He
favors submission. He claims that we
| are subjugated people. ] don't know
what you think, gentlemen. but l say
that his conduct is that of bastard
| and traitor!"
The words of Col. Jones were re-
| peated all over the village, and natur-
| ally they tended to inflame public sem
| timent still more. 1t was true that
| the colonel had not been in the army,
but his patriotic conduct in organic
ing a torch-light procession when the
state seeded had never been forgot
ten, and his fearless opposition to
everything that came from a federal
source made him popular idol.
The situation did not improve as
time rolled on. Additional blue coats
were stationed at Cottonville. They
| swarmed in the streets. Their officers
began to monopolize the sidewalks,
and it soon became evident that the
enemy was strong enough to hold its
own, and that the friendship or the
enmity of the villagers was held in
light esteem.
Presuming upon their strength the
federals grew more offensive in theil
behavior. They required the citizen:
to obtain the commanding officer.
permission to hold meetings. They
arrested good men on the trumped-ul
charges of idle and vicious negroes
and in various other ways the con
viction was brought home to us tha
the iron heel of despotism was a soli6
reality and not mere figure o
speech.
Strange to say, while matters weP,
progressing from bad to worse in thi
direction, the citizens of CottOnvilfi
were gradually simmering down int
a submissive mood. Some Joined tn,
Union league, and the majority ex
pressed opinions similar to thos
uttered by Little Shorty not very lon:
before.
One morning the loungers about tn
courthouse saw Little Shorty ridin!
up the street. He wore his confeder
ate jacket, buttons and all.
Col. Jones winked at the by-stand
ers.
Little Shorty will catch it," h
said, "and serve him right, too.
man with his sentiments ought to hay
ripped off his buttons at the SUI
render
Everybody laughed, and after Littl
Shorty had hitched his horse and mad
his way to the front of the court
house, every eye was fixed upon hi
buttons.
A federal lieutenant, who was ain
lessly walking about, had his attentio
attracted by the peculiar behavior {
the crowd. He looked kesnly at eac
man, and finally his eyes took in Littl
Shorty's buttons.
Everything that followed occurre
in such whirl that the spectator
found it difficult to see what was goin
on
With one quick stroke the lieutenar
cut off one of Little Shorty's buttons
But he did not get his hand on al
other. Little Shorty threw himse
back. and with flashing eyes ap
corded muscles he seized his assailal